Robin Linden, VP at Linden Labs, dropped a bombshell yesterday when she announced that most of the discussion forums on the Second Life website will be closed down in the near future. As she explains: I know many of you feel passionately about the community you’ve built up on the discussion boards, and I can’t…
Teens organize SL Maze to educate about child sex trafficking
Those cool folks at Global Kids in the Teen Grid of Second Life organized a virtual sit-in and interactive maze to educate teens about the important issue of child sex trafficking. Part of the event was a fundraiser for the anti-slavery non-profit the Polaris Project, which has launched a viral activist initiative called "Slavery Still…
Jump blues ditty asks “Have you had enough” of Bush (free MP3!)
Former members of the jump blues band the Squirrel Nut Zippers, now reconstituted as Maxwell/Mosher, have teamed up with Rickie Lee Jones to produce a swingin’ call to action against the current administration called "Have You Had Enough?" Down with Tyranny blogs about how it all came together. Whatever your politics, you have to admit,…
Harold Rheingold talks about web culture, smart mobs and community
Harold Rheingold, internet guru and author of Smart Mobs, gave a wide-ranging and fascinating talk on the linkages between "real" community and online community, the democratization of media production, the reaction from the traditional media giants, and his IM relationship with his wife. Thanks to The Infinite Mind for making this stimulating event happen. More…
80’s has-beens attempt to resuscitate dead career with Second Life
Following on the heels of Suzanne Vega’s debut in Second Life, the gents who brought us such timeless classics as "Rio," "Hungry Like the Wolf" and "Reflex" are getting the virtual treatment, according to a press release and a BBC story today. Yes, the 80s pop group Duran Duran is coming to Second Life. Hide…
Commerce-driven search in Second Life
I recently read John Battelle’s account of the rise of Google in his book Search. Battelle tells the story of how the confluence of search technology and commerce have led to a restructuring of how we conceive and navigate through the web and increasingly physical space. If we have a question, we assume the answer…
Vega vs. Vega: Is is live or is it Second Life?
Last night’s virtual concert by folk artist Suzanne Vega has made me think more deeply about the potential of internet-mediated and virtual music performance. I have been to my share of live concerts and attended a number of in-world Second Life concerts and open mics. The last time I saw Suzanne Vega live was in…
Suzanne Vega live in Second Life tonight!
The talented folk musician Ms. Suzanne Vega became the first major recording artist to perform live in Second Life tonight, wowing the large crowd of residents who packed the Infinite Mind auditorium this evening. Part of the series of in-world shows that the public radio program The Infinite Mind is recording in SL, this was…
Vega, Vonnegut and Rheingold live in Second Life!
Tomorrow night is the first of a series of live tapings of the public radio show "The Infinite Mind" in Second Life. Given the show’s emphasis on science, health and technology, doing a live show from with the virtual world of Second Life makes a lot of sense. Their in-world shows will feature a plethora…
Internet Celebrities united to defend Net Neutrality
We Are the Web is a delightfully wacky site that brings together a number of "internet celebrities" united to defend the principle of Net Neutrality. Starring "the Tron Guy" (my personal favorite), the somewhat alarming Peter Pan, and trashy diva Leslie Hall of Gemsweater.com, the site features a surprisingly slick and silly music video promoting…